Remote-control mechanism



P 26, 1950 J. RABINOW 2,523,327

mom-comm], MECHANISM Filed April 24, 1946 INVENTOR JACOB RA B/A/OW ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 26, 1950 PATENT OFFICE REMOTE-CONTROL MECHANISM Jacob Rabinow, Washington, 0., assignor to the United States of America as the Secretary of the Navy represented by Application April 24, 1946, Serial No. 664,450

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to control mechanisms and more particularly to a novel mechanism for converting rotary motions selectively to various combinations of translatory motions of a pair of elements to be controlled.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of means for converting rotary motion originating at one point into translatory motion at two spaced points.

Another object is to provide a mechanism for selectively converting rotary motion into translatory motion at two spaced points, whereby the two points may be moved forward or backward simultaneously, or each point may be moved in a direction opposite to that of the other. 7

Another object is to provide a mechanism of the character described for producing motion at an increased rate at either point while holding to a negligible value the motion at the other spaced point. j

Another object is to provide a simple, compact and efficient means for producing a variety of motions, by means of which two different elements, as for example the control surfaces of an airplane, may be moved either independently of one another or in an interrelated manner.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism adapted to furnish power actuation of the control surfaces of an airplane of the type disclosed in a copending application of W. H. A. Boyd, Ser. No. 524,431, filed February 29, 1944, now abandoned, wherein only two movable control surfaces are provided for controlling the flight path of the aircraft and its lateral stability, the control surfaces consisting of two elevons, one located in each wing. lvlore specifically, the present invention provides means whereby (1) both elevons may be moved upward simultaneously, or (2) both may be moved downward simultaneously, or (3) either elevon may be moved upwardly while the other is moved downwardly, or ,(4) either elevon may be held stationary whilethe other is moved either upwardly or downwardly.

Still another object is to provide such a power drive system capable of transmitting any of the aforesaid movements or combinations of movements but which is powered by a single unidirectional motor.

An additional object is to provide a mechanism of the character described in which the aforesaid movements or combinations of movements are provided by two rotatable elements mounted on a diate'its ends, one of the rotatable elements being operable to move the cross member on its pivotrelative to the frame, whereby the opposite ends of the cross member move in opposite directions, and the other rotatable element being operable to move the frame bodily about an axis oifset from the cross member, whereby the ends of the latter move in the same direction.

These and other objects of the invention may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic view of one form of the invention, showing the mechanism connected to the two elevons of an airplane;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the mechanism taken on line 33 in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is an end view of the mechanism.

A control mechanism made in accordance with the present invention includes a remote control unit in which either of tworotatable elements is rotatable selectively in either of two directions, and a frame on which the rotatable elements are mounted, the frame in turn being mounted for rotation about an axis. A cross member is pivoted intermediate its ends on the frame at a point offset from the axis of rotation of the frame, the two end portions of the cross member being connected, respectively, to the two parts to be controlled. One of the rotatable elements on the frame is connected to the cross member and is operable to swing the cross member in either direction on its pivot whereby the two ends of the member, and therefore the two parts to be controlled move relative to the frame and in opposite directions. The other rotatable element on the frame is operable to move the frame bodily about its axis in either direction, so that the two ends of the cross member, and therefore the two parts to be controlled, move together in the same direction with the frame. By rotating the two rotatable elements simultaneously in appropriate directions, one end of the cross member maybe caused to move in either direction at an increased rate while the other end is held substantially motionless.

The remote control unit of the new mechanism may take any desired form, such as that disclosed in a copending application of J. C. Clark, Ser. No. 445,252, filed May 30, 1942, now Patent No. 2,398,519. As shown, the unit comprises a boxlike frame or casing ll! in which an electric motor I I is mounted, the motor being energized through wiring i2 and a switch l3 from a battery I4. The shaft of motor 1 l extends through one wall of the casing Wand has a spurogearlfi fixed to its; end..

At opposite sides of spur gear I are two identical gears I6 and I1 rotatably mounted on the casing I0 and meshing with gear I5. Rotatably mounted on the casing I 0 at the outer sides of the ears I6 and I1, and meshing therewith, are two identical gears I8 and I9, respectively. The four identical gears I6, I'I, I8 and I9 are connected through separate electro-magnetic clutches IBa, I111, Mia and No to small spur gears I61), I11), I81) and. l9b, respectively, mounted on the casing, the gears I61) and I8!) meshing with a common gear 20, and the gears Ill) and I9b meshing with a common gear 2I. The gears 20 and 2| are mounted on shafts 20a and 2 Id, respectively, which are rotatable on the casing.

The electro-magnets 'I6a to I9a, inclusive, are adapted to be energized selectively by a selector device 22. The device 22, as shown, comprises switches I60, I10, I80 and l9c, connected by wires I 6d, I'Id, I8d and [9d to one side of the electro-magnets Ifia, IIa, I8a and HM, respectively, the other sides of the electro-magnets being connected through a common conductor 23 to,

the positive side of battery I4. The negative side of the battery is connected through a wire 23a to the other side of the switches. Preferably, the switches I50 and I80 are interconnected by a link 24 to prevent simultaneous closing of these switches, and the switches I and I90 are interconnected by a similar link 24a for the same purpose. It will be apparent that closing of one of the switches I60, I80 will energize one of the electro-magnets I6a, I8a from the battery I4 so as to cause rotation of gear in one direction, while closing of the other switch will energize the other electro-magnet to cause rotation of gear 20 in the opposite direction. Similarly, closing of either of the switches I10, l 90 will energize one of the electro-magnets IIa, I9a from battery I4 to cause rotation of gear 2I in one direction, and closin of the other switch will energize the other electro-magnet to cause rotation of gear 2I in the opposite direction.

The shafts 20a and 2la are provided with worms 28b and 2Ib meshin with sector ears 28 and 29, respectively. The sector gears 28 and 29 are mounted on coaxial shafts 28a and 29a, respectively, extending through the opposite ends of casing I9 and through bearing extensions 30 on the casing ends. The shafts 28a and 29a are disposed at right angles to shafts 20a and 2Ia and extend from the opposite sides of motor II.

The shaft 28a is mounted at its outer end portion in a pedestal bearin 32 in which the shaft is clamped by a set screw 33 to prevent rotation of the shaft in the bearing. The bearing 32 is supported on one arm 34 of a bracket 35 which is bolted or otherwise secured to a support 36, such as the frame of an airplane. At the opposite end of casing ID, the shaft 29a extends through a pedestal bearing 31 secured to a second arm 38 of the bracket 35, the shaft 2912 being rotatable in the bearing 37.

On' the outer end of shaft 29a is a crank 40 which may be integral with a sleeve 40a on the shaft. A set screw 4I serves to lock the crank 40 against rotation relative to shaft 290.. The free end of crank 40 is connected to one end of a cross bar 42 through a. pivotal connection 43 which can slide a limited amount along the axis of the cross member 42. A spherical bearing 44 supports the cross member 42 intermediate its ends on the bottom of casing I0, so that the cross member is capable of universal movement on the casin .The end of cross member 42 adjacent.

"is fixed to shaft 28a and held against rotation by rections.

4 the crank 40 is connected through a rod 45 to an arm 45a rigidly mounted on a member to be controlled, such as an elevon 46 of an airplane, the elevon being rotatable about an axis 46a. Similarly, the opposite end of the cross member 42 is connected through a rod 41 to an arm 41a rigidly mounted on the elevon 48 and rotatable on an axis 48a. Thus, movement of the ends of cross member 42 causes the elevons 46 and 48 to move about their respective axes 46a and 48a, the direction of the elevon movement depending upon the direction of movement of the ends of the cross members.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

When the gear 2I is rotated in either direction by closing one of the switches I10 and I90, shaft 29a is rotated relative to casing IIJ through the worm 2Ib and sector gear 29. As a result, the crank 40 is rocked so as to pivot the cross member 42 in one direction on its universal mounting 44. Thus, the control rod 45 will be moved forwardly and the rod 47 will be moved rearwardly, or vice versa depending upon which of the switches I10, I90 is closed. The two elevons 46 and 48 will, therefore, be moved in opposite di- During this movement, if the gear 20 remains stationary, the casing I0 is held against rotation-about the shafts 28a and 29a due to the interlockin connection from the stationary shaft 28a through worm 2th to the sector gear 28 which set screw 33.

When the gear 20 is rotated in either direction by closing one of the switches I60 and I8c, casing I0 is caused to rotate bodily about the axis repreopposite ends-of'the cross member 42, and therefore the elevons, will move together in the same direction, either forward or backward depending upon which one. of. the switches I60, I is closed. During this movement, if the gear 2| does not rotate, the worm 2H) and sector gear 29 prevent rotation of shaft 290; relative to the casin so that the position ofcross member 42 with respect to the casing remains fixed.

It will be understood that if the two gears 20 and 2! are rotated simultaneously by closing one switch in each pair I30, I80 and I10, I90, a combination of the movements previousl described 'will result. Thus, the cross member 42 will be rotated relativeto casing Ill, tending to move the elevonsin opposite directions, and the casing itself w-iil be moved about its axis 280., 29a, tending to -move the ends of the cross member 42 in the samev direction; The .net result of these movements is that one end of the cross member 42 will be moved at a substantially greater rate, while the other end is held substantially stationary. Actually, one end of the cross member 42 will 'not remain absolutely-stationary unless the ments, while-thegear, 20. and its associated mechanism are operable to move the elevons simultaneously in the same direction and to reverse their movements. Thus, with the new mechanism the two ends of cross member 42 may be moved (1) forwardly or backwardly at the same time, or (2) in reverse directions simultaneously; or (3) either end of the cross member may be moved at an increased rat of speed in either direction while the other end is maintained substantially stationary.

The invention herein described may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A control mechanism comprising a pair of control elements each rotatable selectivel in either direction, a frame on which said elements are rotatably mounted, a cross member, means for pivotally mounting the cross member intermediate its ends on the frame, a support on which the frame is rotatable about an axis offset from said mounting means, a pair of coaxial shafts for rotatably supporting said frame about an axis normal to the pivotal axis of said cross member, means operable by one of said elements for rotating a first one of said shafts independently of said frame and said other of said pair of shafts for moving the cross member on said mounting means relative to'the frame, and means operable by the other element for moving the frame and said first shaft bodily about said other of said pair of shafts.

'2. A control mechanism comprising a frame, a pair of coaxial shafts for mounting the frame for rotation about an axis, a cross member, means for pivotally mounting the cross member intermediate its ends on the frame at a point offset from said axis, a pair of control elements rotatably mounted on the frame, each control element being rotatable selectively in either direction, means operable by one of said elements for rotating a first oneof said shafts independently of said frame and other of said pair of shaftsfor moving the cross member on its mounting means relative to the frame, and means operable by the other element for moving the frame and first shaft bodily about said other of said pair of shafts.

3. A control mechanism comprising a frame, a pair of coaxial shafts on the frame, a support on which said shafts are mounted, the frame being rotatable on said shafts as .an axis, means for fixing one of said shafts against rotation on the support, the other shaft being rotatable relative to the support and the frame, a cross member, means for pivotally mounting the cross member intermediate its ends on the frame at a point offset from said axis, a connection between said last shaft and one end portion of the cross member, whereby rotation of said last shaft. swings the cross member on its pivot means relative to the frame, a pair of control elements rotatably mounted on the frame, each element being rotatable selectively in either direction, an operative connection between one of said elements and said last shaft, and an operative connection between the other control element and said fixed shaft for rotating the frame bodily about said axis.

4. A control mechanism comprising a frame, a pair of coaxial shafts on the frame, a support on which said shafts are mounted, the frame being rotatable on said shafts as an axis, means for fixing one of said shafts against rotation on the support, the other shaft being rotatable relative to the support and the frame, a cross member, means for pivotally mounting the cross member intermediate its ends on the frame at a point offset from said axis, a connection between said last shaft and one end portion of the cross member, whereby rotation of said last shaft swings the cross member on its pivot means relative to the frame, a pair of control elements rotatably mounted on the frame, each element being rotatable selectively in either direction, an operative connection between one of said elements and said last shaft, and a worm and wheel connection between the other control element and said fixed shaft for rotating the frame bodily about said axis.

5. A control mechanism comprising a frame, a pair of coaxial shafts on the frame, a support on which said shafts are mounted, the frame being rotatable on said shafts as an axis, means for fixing one of said shafts against rotation on the support, the other shaft being rotatable relative to the support and the frame, a cross member, means for pivotally mounting the cross member intermediate its ends on the frame at a point offset from said axis, a connection between said last shaft and one end portion of the cross member, whereby rotation of said last shaft swings the cross member on its pivot means relative to the frame, a pair of control elements rotatably mounted on the frame, each element being rotatable selectively in either direction, a worm and wheel driving connection between one of said elements and said last shaft, and a worm and wheel connection between the other control element and said fixed shaft for rotating the frame bodily about said axis.

6. A control mechanism comprising a frame, a pair of coaxial shafts on the frame, a support on which said shafts are mounted, the frame being rotatable on said shafts as an axis, means for fixing one of said shafts againstrotation on the support, the other shaft being rotatable relative to the support and the frame, a cross member, means for pivotally mounting the cross member intermediate its ends on the frame at a point offset from said axis, a connection between said last shaft and one end portion of the cross member, whereby rotation of said last shaft swings the cross member on its pivot means relative to the frame, a pair of control elements rotatably mounted on the frame, each element being rotatable selectively in either direction, an operative connection between one of said elements and said last shaft, an operative connection between the other control element and said fixed shaft for rotating the frame bodily about REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Morrison Sept. 10, 19%

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